York Unlocked: City's hidden gems set to throw open doors to public once again

It led to the organisers planning to do the same this year, and on October 7 and 8, Bishopthorpe Palace - the official residence of the Archbishop of York - is to one of those which will open its doors.

York Unlocked is a registered charity aims to provide both residents and tourists the opportunity to visit rarely-seen treasures and to see familiar places through fresh eyes.

The first York Unlocked saw visitors take a peak behind the curtain at iconic locations including the Assembly Rooms, Duncombe Place Masonic Lodge and King’s Manor.

Bishopthorpe Palace, the Archbishop’s official residence, has been added to the list of buildings opening the doors for this year’s event alongside the Archbishop’s Walled and Pleasure Garden, St Peters School, St Marys Tower, and Minster Refectory.

A new ‘Architecture of the Ouse’ cruise has also been added to this year’s programme.

Bishopthorpe, also known as the Archbishop’s Palace, sits on the banks of the Ouse around two-and-a-half miles to the south of York, and a manor house has existed on the site since at least the 13th century. With the exception of the 11 years when the Church was disestablished during the interregnum, an Archbishop has been resident at the palace since 1241.

While the Church of England offers private tours from time to time, their waiting list for bookings is closed until 2024 while they clear a backlog, meaning York Unlocked offers a unique opportunity to see the residence without having to wait.

Kathy M King, founder of York Unlocked, explains: “York is blessed with a rich diversity of building gems and open spaces that all have amazing stories to tell.

“Maybe you’ve walked past for years on your daily commute and wondered what lies behind the door, or you are new to York and want to learn more about its rich history. This special event enables you to see familiar places through fresh eyes and explore these hidden treasures across one fabulous weekend.”

York Unlocked is a registered charity and the event is run entirely by a small team of volunteers supported by the goodwill of building owners and managers.

Last year saw London’s Open House Festival, a similar charity-run initiative that aims to throw open doors that are usually closed to the public, enjoy its 30th anniversary. Its annual programme of events typically attracts a quarter of a million visitors to explore different hidden sights across the capital.

“Whether you are an architecture buff with a tick-list of specific buildings or a family seeking to see the city in a different light,” says Kathy, “York Unlocked is guaranteed to inspire, delight and intrigue.”